Sweeter broccoli reduces cancer risk

London: Scientists claimed to have developed a new variety of broccoli that is not only grown naturally, but also tastes sweeter and has 40 per cent more Broccoli anti-oxidants than the normal to reduce risks of heart disease and cancer.

Scientists at Victoria`s Department of Primary Industries (DPI) here, have discovered "Booster Broccoli", a new variety that is the first in the group of super vegetables and contains more anti-oxidants than the usual variety, the ABC report said today.
DPI`s leading scientist Rod Jones said that the new broccoli is not the result of genetic engineering.

"All we`ve done is gone back and minded nature`s natural diversity," he said.

Jones also said that DPI had partnerships with large companies and had tested 400 varieties of broccoli before selecting the one that had the highest anti-oxidant content and now they have decided to breed the "Booster Broccoli".

"It`s also about improving the health of our population in general by getting people to eat vegetables that we know are very good for them," he added.

"It`s a premium branded product so the returns to growers should be higher," Jones said.